HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      SB 5053

                           As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to juvenile driving privileges.

Brief Description:  Allowing local ordinance notice for revoking juvenile driving privileges.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Nelson, Rasmussen and Roach.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, April 2, 1991, DP;

Passed House, April 18, 1991, 98-0;

Passed Legislature, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Inslee; R. Meyers; Mielke; H. Myers; Riley; Scott; Tate; Vance; and Wineberry.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative D. Sommers. 

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  In 1988 and 1989, the Legislature enacted laws that require the revocation of a person's driving privileges when the person violates a state alcohol or drug law, whether or not the violation is related to driving.  Both felony and misdemeanor violations are included.  The law applies generally to persons between the ages of 12 and 18 with respect to alcohol law violations, and to persons between the ages of 12 and 21 with respect to drug law violations.  A first violation results in the loss of driving privileges for one year or until age 17, whichever is longer.  A second or subsequent violation results in loss of driving privileges for two years or until age 18, whichever is longer.

The Department of Licensing revokes the driving privileges when the superior or district court notifies the department of the person's conviction for violation of a state drug or alcohol law.

Unless preempted by state law, local jurisdictions may enact ordinances creating misdemeanor criminal offenses.  Some local jurisdictions have adopted such ordinances with respect to misdemeanor alcohol and drug offenses.  The statute requiring driver's license revocation for alcohol and drug law convictions does not expressly apply to convictions arising out of the violation of local ordinances.

Summary of Bill:  A person's driving privileges will be revoked for a violation of a local ordinance that is substantially similar to a state alcohol or drug law if a violation of the state law requires revocation.  The Department of Licensing is to revoke a person's driving privileges upon notification by a court that the person has violated such a local ordinance.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill will clear up uncertainty in the current law and will further legislative policy on drugs, alcohol and driving privileges.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Elaine Rose, City of Seattle (pro).